This study investigates the factors influencing mountaineers' intention and behavior towards participating in the management of riparian peri-urban forests (PUFs). The research employs an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, incorporating environmental values (EVs) and perceived barriers (PBs) as additional components to enhance the model's explanatory power. A sample of 416 mountaineers was surveyed using a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using Smart-PLS. The results show that attitudes, subjective norms (SNs), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) significantly influence mountaineers' intentions to participate in PUF management. These intentions are positively correlated with actual behavior. Environmental values positively influence intentions but not behavior. Perceived barriers negatively impact intentions but do not significantly affect behavior. The study emphasizes the importance of environmental education and awareness campaigns to promote mountaineers' participation in PUF management. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective management strategies and highlight the need to address barriers and strengthen environmental values to enhance community engagement in forest conservation.This study investigates the factors influencing mountaineers' intention and behavior towards participating in the management of riparian peri-urban forests (PUFs). The research employs an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, incorporating environmental values (EVs) and perceived barriers (PBs) as additional components to enhance the model's explanatory power. A sample of 416 mountaineers was surveyed using a questionnaire, and data were analyzed using Smart-PLS. The results show that attitudes, subjective norms (SNs), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) significantly influence mountaineers' intentions to participate in PUF management. These intentions are positively correlated with actual behavior. Environmental values positively influence intentions but not behavior. Perceived barriers negatively impact intentions but do not significantly affect behavior. The study emphasizes the importance of environmental education and awareness campaigns to promote mountaineers' participation in PUF management. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective management strategies and highlight the need to address barriers and strengthen environmental values to enhance community engagement in forest conservation.